Niger coup: France prepares evacuations
Baku, August 1, AZERTAC
France is set to evacuate its citizens from Niger on Tuesday, as unrest continues in the wake of a coup last week that toppled pro-Western leader Mohamed Bazoum, according to Deutsche Welle.
"In the face of a deteriorating security situation in Niamey, and taking advantage of the relative calm in Niamey, an operation of evacuation by air from Niamey is being prepared," the French Embassy wrote.
The evacuation is to take place "very soon" and in a "very limited span of time."
Italy also said it would send a special flight to repatriate its nationals from the capital Niamey.
On Monday, Germany's Foreign Ministry said it was suspending bilateral cooperation with Niger, but added there were no immediate plans to evacuate German citizens.
There are currently some 100 members of the Germany army, or Bundeswehr, in Niger to assist in training local forces.
There are about 500 French nationals in Niger and around 1,500 French troops in the country to fight against Islamist militancy in the Sahel region.
French troops have been present in Niger for a decade to fight against surging Islamist insurgencies in the Sahel. Niger had been one of the last democracies in the fraught region.
Niger gained independence from France in 1960 and has seen several coups — both successful and unsuccessful.
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